The Mysteries of God REVEALING THE HIDDEN SECRETS

The Mysteries of God: REVEALING THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF ETERNITY 啟示永恆中隱藏的奧秘 (I Cor. 林前 2: 7 -14; 4: 1 -2) “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory” (1 Cor. 2: 7) 我們講的，乃是從前所隱藏、神奧秘的智慧，就 是神在萬世以前預定使我們得榮耀的。 “Let a man consider us, “the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. ” (1 Cor. 4: 1) 人應當以我們為基督的執事，為神奧秘事的管家

Greek word for “Minister”希臘文-「事奉者」 Means “the under-rower”意思為「底層搖槳者

We are“stewards of the mysteries of God. “Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. ” (I Cor. 4: 1 -2) There will be many unfaithful stewards in the end times 末世將有許多不忠心 的管家 (I Tim. 4: 1; 2 Pet. 2: 1 -3) Joseph was a steward: 約瑟是個管家 Gen. 39: 4 -6

Scriptural definition of the “mysteries of God” 上帝的奧秘: 聖經的定義 “How by revelation he made known unto me the mystery. . . (Eph. 3: 3) 用啟示使我知道福音的奧秘，正如我以前略略 寫過的。 “. . . Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles & prophets by the Spirit. ” (Eph. 3: 3, 5) 這奧秘在以前的世代沒有叫人知道，像如 今藉著聖靈啟示他的聖使徒和先知一樣。

The Mysteries of God: Mystery # 1 God was Manifest in the flesh 上帝的諸般奧秘: 奧秘 #1 上帝在肉身顯現 (1 Tim 3: 16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: 大哉，敬虔的奧秘，無人不以為然…. 1. God was manifest in the flesh, (KJV) 在肉身顯現 2. justified in the Spirit, 被聖靈稱義 3. seen of angels, 被天使看見 4. preached unto the Gentiles, 被傳與外邦人 5. believed on in the world 被世人信服 6. received up into glory. 被接在榮耀裡

– These 6 Truths focus our attention on 4 key events in the life of Jesus: – 這六個真理聚焦在耶穌一生四個事件: The virgin birth, Transfiguration; 藉童貞女出生 登山變像 Resurrection; Ascension 復活 升天

Importance of Progressive Revelation 漸進啟示的重要性 There is a progressive revelation of all the great doctrines of the Bible. . . What at first is only hinted at is gradually unfolded in other parts of the Bible, until the truth is revealed in its fullness. " (Charles Hodge) 神聖啟示的漸進特性，在所有聖經偉大 的教義中都可看見… 起初只是暗示的， 逐漸在聖經其他部分被開啟，直到真理 完整地被啟示出來。(查爾斯‧哈奇)

Progressive Revelation 漸進啟示的重要性 Each great truth & Doctrine begins in seed form in the Book of Genesis, grows with life giving insight throughout the Bible, 每一偉大的真理與教義在創世記以種子型態 開始，然後貫穿全本聖經，以賜給我們生命 的洞見而成長， And culminates in a life altering explosion of glory in the Book of Revelation. 最後在啟示錄中，以改變生命的榮耀光輝達 其極致。

The Progressive Revelation of God 有關上帝漸進式的啟示 We learn a lot about God in the O. T. but behold His glory as never before in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1: 14). (Col. 2: 9; 1: 19; John 12: 45; 14: 8 -10). 我們在舊約中學到許多關乎上帝的事，但在耶穌基督 身上才前此未有地瞻仰祂的榮美(約1: 14) In the same way there is a progressive revelation of God in Christ throughout the New Testament, climaxing in the Book of Revelation with Jesus as “The LORD of LORDs” (Matt. 8: 27; Mk. 4: 41; Rev. 19: 16) 同樣，新約中上帝在基督裡也有漸進式的啟示， 直到啟示錄耶穌是「萬主之主」達至最高潮。

The Progressive Revelation of God 有關上帝漸進式的啟示 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3: 18). 我們眾人既然敞著臉得以看見主的榮光，好像從鏡 子裡反照，就變成主的形狀，榮上加榮，如同從主 的靈變成的。 The greater the glory of Christ we behold, the greater our transformation (2 Cor. 3: 18; I John 3: 2). 我們越看見基督的榮光，我們自己的轉變就越大。

The Progressive Revelation of the Lamb of God 上帝的羔羊的漸進啟示 Someone shout hallelujah

This is why it takes a whole Bible to be a healthy mature Christian (Matt. 4: 4) 需要全本聖經以成為健康成熟的基督徒 We can’t afford to skip parts of the Bible any more than a Surgeon can afford to skip a few of his anatomy classes in College! 你無法省略聖經某些部分，就 像手術醫生無法省略大學某些 解剖學課程。

People are still asking: “Who was Jesus? ” When they should be asking: “Who is Jesus!!”

“And without controversy” 無人不以為然 There can be no question about the validity of this truth – Jesus is God! 真理 - 耶穌是上帝，其確實性沒有任何疑問 ! The mystery of how God can become a man is beyond human understanding. 上帝如何成為人的奧秘超過人所能理解。 But the fact that God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ is beyond dispute! 但上帝成為人- 耶穌基督的事實已確定無疑! Quote by C. S. Lewis

“great is the mystery of godliness” 大哉！ 敬虔的奧秘 “God was manifest in the flesh” in 2 ways: 上帝以兩種方式在肉身顯現: 1 st & foremost “God was manifest in the flesh” in Jesus Christ is God! (Col. 2: 9) 首先，上帝以耶穌基督肉身顯現，耶穌 基督就是上帝! (西 2: 9)

“great is the mystery of godliness” 大哉！ 敬虔的奧秘 2 nd, “God was (and is) manifest in the flesh” in every true “born again” Christian. 其次，上帝在每一真正「重生的」基督徒生命 中顯現。 If we are Christians, Christ lives “in” us (Col. 1: 27; Gal. 2: 20; 2 Cor. 13: 5; etc. ). 倘若我們是基督徒，基督住在我們「裡面」 And Christ is Almighty Sovereign God! 而基督是全能自主的上帝!

1. “God was manifest in the flesh…” through the virgin birth 上帝在肉身顯現- 經由童貞女而生 (Lk 1: 35) the angel told Mary: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, & the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Matt. 1: 20). 路 1: 35 天使回答說：「聖靈要臨到你身上， 至高者的能力要蔭庇你，因此所要生的聖者 必稱為神的兒子（太 1: 20）。

1. “God was manifest in the flesh…” through the virgin birth 上帝在肉身顯現- 經由童貞女而生 Through the Holy Spirit our LORD became “the God-Man” not “God & man. ” 我們的主藉著聖靈成為「神 -人」而非「神 和人」。 That God should take upon Him our humanity to save us – the wonder of wonders! 上帝取了人的樣式 – 奇妙中的奇妙!

Illustration 舉例: Would you be willing to save a world of dogs? 你願意去拯救一群狗的世界嗎? If you had to become a dog to do it? 假如你必須變成狗來完成它? “For in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2: 9) “There is one mediator between God & men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Tim. 2: 5)

1. “God was manifest in the flesh…” 上帝在肉身顯現 “He is before all In Jesus Christ things, & by him Eternity & time all things consist” meet (Col. 1: 17) • “The the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, & bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa 7: 14; Matt. 1: 23; Isa 9: 6)

Jesus’ Birth Proves He is LORD of History is His-story 歷史是祂的故事

God was manifest in the Flesh for a reason 上帝在肉身顯現有其原因 To destroy the devil & remove our fear of death: 毀滅魔鬼，除去我們對死亡的恐懼: (Heb 2: 14) “…as the children (us) are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 來 2: 14 兒女既同有血肉之體，他也照樣親 自成了血肉之體，特要藉著死敗壞那掌死權 的，就是魔鬼，

(Heb. 2: 15) “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. ” 來2: 15 並要釋放那些一生因怕死而為奴僕 的人。 I John 3: 8; Col. 2: 15

1 b. “God was manifest in the flesh…” through the Transfiguration (Mat. 17; Lk. 9) 上帝在肉身顯現 – 藉著變像 (Lk 9: 29) “as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white & glistering. 路 9: 29 正禱告的時候，他的 面貌就改變了，衣服潔白放光 The full glory of God blazed forth through the physical body of Jesus! 上帝全然的榮耀在耶穌肉身上 放射出來!

1 b. “God was manifest in the flesh…” through the Transfiguration (Mat. 17; Lk. 9) 上帝在肉身顯現 – 藉著變像 John wrote “we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” (John 1: 14) 約翰寫: 我們也見過他的榮 光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 Peter wrote “We… were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet. 1: 16). 彼得寫: 我們…親眼見過 他的 威榮。

Important reasons for the Transfiguration: 變像的重要原因: To reveal some of the glory & majesty of the invisible God in Jesus (John 1: 18) 在人的肉身啟示看不見的上帝的某些榮耀 和權能(約1: 18) Christ’s Transfiguration is a guarantee of our own Transfiguration by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8: 11; I Cor. 15: 51 -7; Phil. 3: 21; 2 Cor. 3: 18) 基督的變像保證我們藉著聖靈的大 能 也會變像。

Important reasons for the Transfiguration: 變像的重要原因: Even now God’s “divine power hath given us all things that pertain unto life & GODLINESS, through the knowledge of Christ” (2 Pet 1: 3 -4). 甚至現在，「神的神能已將一切關乎生命 和虔敬的事賜給我們，皆因我們認識那用 自己榮耀和美德召我們的主……」 (彼後1: 3 -4)

2. “Justified in the Spirit…” 被聖靈稱義 The Spirit Justifies Christ’s claims to sinlessness through the virgin birth. 聖靈經由耶穌基督從童真女降生 能夠稱祂為無罪。 He had no earthly Father so was born without a human sin nature like all of us (Rom. 5: 12) 祂沒有地上的父親, 所以出生 沒有罪性 (羅5: 12)。

2. “Justified in the Spirit…” 被聖靈稱義 Jesus was “led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matt. 4: 1) 耶穌被聖靈引到曠野受 魔鬼的試探 (太 4: 1) Illus: Tempting and Testing (James 1: 13) Justified Christ claims to sinlessness by the greatest tempter of all! 人間最大的試探者稱 基督為無罪!

2. “Justified in the Spirit…” 被聖靈稱義 “in Him is no sin” (I John 3: 5) 約一 3: 5 …在他並沒有罪。 “He did no sin” (I Pet. 2: 22) 彼前2: 22 他並沒有犯罪… Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5: 21) 林後5: 21 祂不知罪… Jesus never had a sinful thought! 耶穌從沒有犯罪的想法!

2. “Justified in the Spirit…” 被聖靈稱義 The Spirit Justifies Christ’s Lordship through the resurrection from the dead: 聖靈稱基督為主- 藉著祂從死裡復活: Rom 1: 4 Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 羅 1: 4 按聖善的靈說， 因從死裡復活，以大能 顯明是神的兒子。

2. “Justified in the Spirit…” through our own personal experience 被聖靈稱義 – 經由我們個人的經歷 (John 14: 16) “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 約14: 16 我要求父，父就另外賜給你們一 位保惠師，叫他永遠與你們同在， (14: 17) Even the Spirit of truth… for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 約14: 17 就是真理的聖靈…. 他常與你們同 在，也要在你們裡面。

2. “Justified in the Spirit…” through our own personal experience 被聖靈稱義 – 經由我們個人的經歷 (John 14: 18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 約 14: 18 我不撇下你們為孤兒， 我必到你們這裡來。 (14: 20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 約14: 20 到那日，你們就知道我在父裡面， 你們在我裡面，我也在你們裡面。

3. “seen of angels…” 被天使看見 A unique amount of angelic activity in Jesus’ Life 耶穌一生中有一些獨特的天使活動 When God “bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him” (Heb 1: 6; Ps. 97: 7; Lk. 1: 31) 來 1: 6 …神使長子到世上來的時候，就說：神 的使者(天使) 都要拜他。 Jesus refers to the angels as “MY ANGELS” (Matt. 13: 41; 16: 27; 24: 31) 耶穌稱天使為「我的天使」 (太 13: 41) Why? Jesus is God & He created them all!

3. “seen of angels…” 被天使看見 Announce His birth (Lk. 2: 9 -14) 宣佈祂的出生 Announce His resurrection (Matt. 28: 2 -7) 宣佈祂的復活 Angels at His ascension (Act 1: 9 -11; Dan. 7: 13) 祂升天時天使在旁邊 Angels join Jesus & us when Jesus returns to Earth to set up His Kingdom in Jerusalem (Rev. 19: 11 -16; Matt. 16: 27; 25: 31; Jude 1: 14) 當耶穌在亞米吉多頓再來，在耶路撒冷建立祂的國 度時，天使將伴隨我們與耶穌同來。

4. preached unto the Gentiles, 被傳與外邦人 5. believed on in the world 被世人信服 The Church of the living God will finish the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 18 -20; 24: 14) 永生上帝的教會將完成大使命!

4. preached unto the Gentiles, 被傳與外邦人 5. believed on in the world 被世人信服 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy … for thou wast slain, & hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5: 8 -10) … 他們唱新歌，說：你配拿書卷，配揭 開七印；因為你曾被殺，用自己的血從各 族、各方、各民、各國中買了人來，叫他 們歸於神，

4. preached unto the Gentiles, 被傳與外邦人 5. believed on in the world 被世人信服 Like Jesus, every believer will be caught up into Heaven! 每個信徒都像耶穌一樣，會被接到天上!

6. “Received up into glory” [Ascension] 被接到榮耀裡 (升天) God the Father confirms Christ’s absolute Sovereignty over all Creation! (Acts 2: 33 -36) 天父上帝確認基督對萬物絕對 的權柄！ (徒 2: 33 -36) (Act 1: 9) And while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 徒 1: 9 …他們正看的時候， 他就被取上升，有一朵雲彩 把他接去，便看不見他了。

(2: 34) David prophesies: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, (35) Until I make thy foes thy footstool. (Acts 2: 36) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, both Lord & Christ. Act 2: 34 -36 大衛自己說：主對我主說： 你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作 你的腳凳。 故此，以色列全家當確 實的知道，你們釘在十字架上的這 位耶穌，神已經立他為主，為基督了。

The Mystery of Godliness changes our entire understanding of who Jesus really is 此奧秘改變我們對耶穌是誰的全然理解 (2 Cor. 5: 16) “though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. ” 林後5: 16 所以，我們從今以後，不憑著肉體 認基督了。雖然憑著外貌認過基督，如今卻不 再這樣認他了。 (Col 1: 15) Jesus is the image of the invisible God 西 1: 15 愛子是那不能看見之神的像 …. 。

(Col. 1: 16) For by him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, & that are in earth, visible & invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 西 1: 16 因為萬有都是靠他造的，無論是天上 的，地上的；能看見的，不能看見的；或是 有位的，主治的，執政的，掌權的；一概都 是藉著他造的，又是為他造的。 (17) And he is before all things, 祂在萬有之先 and by him all things consist. 萬有也靠祂而立

The ascension has a huge impact on us: 升天對我們的重大影響 We experience “the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 我們經歷他向我們這信的人所顯的能力 是何等浩大， Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, & set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 就是照他在基督身上所運行的大能大力，使 他從死裡復活，叫他在天上坐在自己的右邊，

Far above all principality, & power, and dominion, & every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1: 19 -21) 遠超過一切執政的、掌權的、有能的、主治的， 和一切有名的；不但是今世的，連來世的也都 超過了。 (弗 1: 19 -21) I am now “raised up & seated with Christ in the heavenly places” (Eph. 2: 6) 我現在「與基督耶穌一同復活，一同坐在天上 」 (弗 2: 6)

Life Changing Implications 改變生命的含意 • Because of What Christ did He guarantees my: 因為基督所成就的，祂保證我的: • “New Birth” – I am born again of God’s Spirit 「新生」 - 我從聖靈重生 • (John 3: 3) Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 約3: 3 耶穌回答說：「我實實在在的告訴你， 人若不重生，就不能見神的國。」

Life Changing Implications 改變生命的含意 • (John 1: 12) “as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 約1: 12 凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就 賜他們權柄，作神的兒女。 • (1: 13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 1: 13 這等人不是從血氣生的，不是從情慾生 的，也不是從人意生的，乃是從神生的。

Life Changing Implications 改變生命的含意 • Because of What Christ did He guarantees my: 因為基督所成就的，祂保證我的: • “transfiguration” – I am predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8: 29) 變像 – 我被…預先定下效法他兒子(基督) 的模樣…。羅 8: 29

Life Changing Implications 改變生命的含意 • (2 Cor. 3: 18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. ” 林後3: 18 我們眾人既然敞著臉得以 看見主的榮光，好像從鏡子裡 反照，就變成主的形狀，榮上 加榮，如同從主的靈變成的。

Life Changing Implications 改變生命的含意 • Because of What Christ did He guarantees my: 因為基督所成就的，祂保證我的: • “resurrection from the dead” – 從死裡復活 (Rom 8: 11) “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, • he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ” 羅8: 11 然而，叫耶穌從死裡復活者的靈若住在你們 心裡，那叫基督耶穌從死裡復活的，也必藉著住在你 們心裡的聖靈，使你們必死的身體又活過來。

Life Changing Implications 改變生命的含意 • Because of What Christ did He guarantees my: 因為基督所成就的，祂保證我的: • “Ascension into heaven” – 升天 • (John 14: 2) “In my Father‘s house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you. 約14: 2 在我父的家裡有許多住處；我去原是為你們 預備地方去。 • (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 14: 3 我若去為你們預備了地方，就必再來接你們到 我那裡去，我在那裡，叫你們也在那裡。

Believe this mystery of Godliness and: 相信敬虔的奧秘，那麼： • You will know Jesus in the fullness of Divine Glory. 你會認識耶穌全然的神聖榮耀 • You will experience your own spiritual transformation. 你會經歷自己屬靈的變像 • You will loose your fear of death in anticipation of your own resurrection & ascension into Heaven. 你會失去對死亡的恐懼, 並期待自己的復活與升天 • You will live a godly life in this present evil world 你會在當今邪惡的世界活出敬虔的生活!